CHILDREN

INTRODUCTION

• Children are the future of a nation, and their healthy growth is crucial for national progress. Poverty often forces children into labor, hindering their physical, mental, and emotional development.
• Those facing poverty and discrimination are at higher risk of hunger, poor health, limited financial resources, and inadequate education, which restrict their opportunities and freedoms.
• Societal biases that favor boys over girls place female infants at a disadvantage, leading to issues like infanticide, neglect of nutritional needs, and limited access to education and healthcare.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

• Article 21A: Guarantees the right to education for children up to the age of 14.
• Article 24: Prohibits the employment of children under 14 in factories and hazardous jobs, safeguarding against exploitation.
• Article 45: Mandates that states provide early childhood care and education for children up to six years old.

LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTION

• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994
• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

ISSUES

• Child Abuse: Approximately two-thirds of children face physical abuse.
• Malnutrition: 38.4% of children are stunted, and over half of adolescent girls suffer from anemia.
• Poor Learning Outcomes: Only 42.5% of third-grade students can read a grade one text.
• Child Marriages: India ranks fourth among South Asian countries for child marriages.
• Drop-Out Rates: The dropout rate for primary school students is 4.13%, rising to 17.05% at the secondary level.
• Cyberbullying: A 2019 UNICEF report found one-third of children in India experienced cyberbullying.
• Child Pornography: At least 25,000 images of child sexual abuse are uploaded.
• Child Labour: Around 12.9 million children are involved in labor.
• Child Trafficking: The National Crime Record Bureau reports that eight children are trafficked daily for various forms of exploitation.

IMPLICATIONS

• Impaired Development: Abuse causes severe physical and psychological damage, impacting children’s development and future potential.
• Educational Disruption: Abused children often struggle in school, leading to lower academic achievement and fewer future opportunities.
• Increased Healthcare Costs: Long-term health issues from abuse increase the burden on the healthcare system.
• Social Instability: Abuse contributes to violence and dysfunction in communities, potentially leading to broader social instability.
• Economic Impact: The reduced productivity of adults who suffered abuse as children affects the economy.
• Generational Trauma: The cycle of violence and trauma can perpetuate, affecting future generations.
• Loss of Human Capital: School dropouts and unfulfilled potential result in a loss of valuable human resources for national development.
• Reduced Social Cohesion: Abuse undermines trust within communities, weakening social bonds and engagement.

INITIATIVES

• Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): Launched in 1975, this universal scheme is implemented across all districts in India by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.\

SCHEMES UNDER ICDS

• • Anganwadi Services Scheme: Provides supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, health education, immunization, health check-ups, and referral services.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Offers Rs. 5,000 in three installments to pregnant and lactating women via Direct Benefit Transfer, based on specific conditions.
  • National Creche Scheme: Provides daycare services for 7.5 hours a day, 26 days a month.
  • Scheme for Adolescent Girls: Focuses on empowerment through nutrition, life skills, and home skills.
  • Child Protection Scheme: Enhances well-being and reduces vulnerabilities to abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan: Aims to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight by addressing malnutrition among various groups.
• Other Key Schemes:

• Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme: Encourages savings for girls, offering attractive interest rates and tax rebates.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Initiated in 1995, renamed PM POSHAN in 2021 to provide nutritious meals and focus on monitoring students’ nutritional levels.
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Aims to universalize elementary education for children aged 6-14 years, ensuring free and compulsory education with community involvement.
• Operation Blackboard: Aims to improve primary education quality, reduce waste, and increase student enrollment.
• Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY): Supports the education and welfare of girl children in below-poverty-line families.
• Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA): Regulates and monitors adoptions in compliance with the Hague Convention.
• National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyaan): Replaces previous mid-day meal schemes, aiming to improve nutrition for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Mission Indradhanush: Enhances immunization coverage against preventable diseases through multiple phases.
• POCSO Amendment Act, 2019

INNOVATION

• Digital Learning Platforms: Expand digital tools and improve internet access to enhance educational opportunities.
• Integrated Child Health Programs: Combine nutrition, immunization, and health check-ups into comprehensive programs.
• Community-Based Education Initiatives: Involve local communities in improving education and school facilities.
• Adaptive Learning Technologies: Use adaptive tools to customize education for individual needs.
• Child Protection and Mental Health Programs: Develop initiatives focusing on child protection and mental health support.
• Enhanced Nutrition and Health Monitoring: Implement mobile systems for real-time tracking of children’s health and nutrition.

CONCLUSION

• Addressing the needs of children in India requires a thorough approach that blends innovative solutions with effective execution. By expanding digital learning and integrating health programs, we can create a more inclusive and efficient education and healthcare
• Community engagement in educational efforts and the use of adaptive technologies will help address existing gaps and tailor solutions to individual needs. Additionally, reinforcing child protection measures and improving health and nutrition monitoring will safeguard children’s well-being and foster their growth.
• These strategic advancements not only tackle immediate issues but also establish a solid foundation for a promising future for India’s children, ensuring they receive the support necessary to excel in an ever-evolving world.